Tuesday 24th February 2009

Barnard Endurance Racer Prototype

617bhp South African supercar based on Porsche 962

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Cash-strapped PH-ers for whom a genuine Porsche 962 remains ‘just out of reach’ will be delighted with the latest news from South Africa – the Barnard Endurance Racer Prototype could be yours for just one million Rand.

A million of anything sounds quite a lot, but in this case it’s roughly £75k. For a hand built, ‘race’-engineered machine reportedly capable of speeds up to 249mph that could be something of a bargain.

So far only the prototype has been revealed by Hyper Car, a company set up in Bloemfontein, South Africa by designer Chris Barnard after whom the new machine is named.

That development car is pictured here, and boasts a high-tech steel (Domex and Docol) front monocoque with a tubular steel rear cradle the company says is ‘designed to accept a range of high-output OHC V8s sourced from European premium brands’.

Original 962s still available - at a price...

The first car has a twin-turbo Porsche V8 rated at 617bhp, but the car has been designed to cope with significantly higher outputs.

With a layout loosely resembling the Porsche 962s from which the designer took his inspiration, Barnard says his creation ‘is the most single-minded performance machine yet from South Africa’. The swoopy composite body has a multitude of aerodynamic features with their roots on the race track, including a flat undertray, rear diffuser and cut-outs in the front wheel arches designed to help generate maximum downforce.

As a raw ‘racing car for the road’, features like power steering, traction control and ABS are not on the options list.

‘There is no question that South Africa has the engineering expertise and production skills to build a low-volume hypercar such as this,’ says Barnard. ‘I think when potential customers examine it closely - whether it be the suspension layout or the fact that the windscreen and side glass have been made locally, specifically for this car - they will realize that it is designed to offer not only a very special motoring experience, but also exceptional quality.’

The company expects to begin deliveries later this year, and says every car will be built to individual customer requirements.

If a faux 962 has whetted your appetite for the real thing, you’re going to need a bit more loot. PH found a few up for grabs at www.classicdriver.com including a 1990 Repsol racer for £575k. An even more desirable 1989 Jagermeister-liveried machine is P.O.A. – maybe it’s time for another lottery scratchcard…

 

[patmahe]

Can't see them being able to produce and sell that for £75000. But if they can its a bargain.

[Turbobanana]

"With a layout loosely resembling the Porsche 962s from which the designer took his inspiration"

Not exactly based on the 962 then, is it? For that you'd need a Dauer 962C...

[[AJ]]

Does that £75k include the twin turbo Porsche V8, or is that the base price of the car before you have chosen your engine and any other options? It looks like it could be very good value for money, especially if the price includes the engine and the performance figures stack up. Lets hope the handling is a little more modern than the 962 though.

One thing pleases me though.. no mention of an American V8!

[Si_man306]

"A million of anything sounds quite a lot, but in this case it’s roughly £75k. For a hand built, ‘race’-engineered machine reportedly capable of speeds up to 249mph that could be something of a bargain."

If they can produce it for that the 'skyline better than a porsche for cheaper' crew will be crying into their playstations....

[DanBMW]

Si_man306 said:

"A million of anything sounds quite a lot, but in this case it’s roughly £75k. For a hand built, ‘race’-engineered machine reportedly capable of speeds up to 249mph that could be something of a bargain."

If they can produce it for that the 'skyline better than a porsche for cheaper' crew will be crying into their playstations....

haha thats true enough, but it doesnt look like a road car though does it! lol

[C5L]

Blimey a 962 racer for 75k !!

but the designer has copied many supercar details

ie

SLR style headlights, Zonda R exhaust outlets, Enzo doors, 962 body and from the back angle it looks like Adam Wests BATMOBILE !

[Dr G]

Remapped 335d, personal bankruptcy in waiting, sin-bin...

Now that's the silly comments dealt with that looks like a good toy - Ultima done the South African way.

[vrooom]

Engine bay picture show questionable build quality - one of hose is not sitting correctly...

[gentelman]

The fact that this car uses what has to be a 20-something year old engine has garnered a certain amount of "curious" discussion from the Porsche 928 boards considering that's unmistakably a 16-valve 928 V8. Which begs the question how many parts are older than 1986?

[EDLT]

vrooom said:

Engine bay picture show questionable build quality - one of hose is not sitting correctly...

And there is a wire off on the sensor (oil temperature?) attached to the oil feed for the turbo.

[Bluebottle]

gentelman said:

The fact that this car uses what has to be a 20-something year old engine has garnered a certain amount of "curious" discussion from the Porsche 928 boards considering that's unmistakably a 16-valve 928 V8. Which begs the question how many parts are older than 1986?

I was liking this..A lot! until you said that! I had assumed it was a modern BMW or Merc v8 unit

[AndySA]

And here is another South African car, but looks a lot better to me.
http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=485...

Edit: To say that I have just read the story on this car

Edited by AndySA on Tuesday 24th February 19:47

[Cheburator mk2]

Bluebottle said:

gentelman said:

The fact that this car uses what has to be a 20-something year old engine has garnered a certain amount of "curious" discussion from the Porsche 928 boards considering that's unmistakably a 16-valve 928 V8. Which begs the question how many parts are older than 1986?

I was liking this..A lot! until you said that! I had assumed it was a modern BMW or Merc v8 unit

I don't see a problem with using a 928 16v engine - it is simple to maintain, it is built to last and parts for it are relatively cheap. The same cannot be said about any of the new generations high performance BMW or MB engines. 617Bhp is also very conservative - the 32v 928 motor in twin turbo marine configuration was good for 750Bhp +

[megab]

Er... not sure it says anything about a 928. Probably the V8 from the Cayenne (though I've heard that was developed from the 928 anyway).

[928tt]

It certainly is an early 928 engine,which bears no relation to the Cayenne engine. The car also appears to use the manual transmission from a 928. I guess the use of such cheap donor parts could allow for the low total cost. I wonder what other 928 donor parts are used?

Cheers Roy

[Evo]

Isn't this the proper road going 962 dev by Dauer.



Have a soft spot for these as growing up aged 7-8 i used to watch the Rothmans 962's race at Silverstone in the 1000 klms race.

Edited by Evo on Wednesday 25th February 04:56

[sprinter885]

I was quite impressed-but I'd be a bit worried about a Sports Prototype designed by the original heart transplant surgeon.!!!!

[Thom]

Would like to know more on what they did on that 928 engine. Surely they must be using lower CR pistons, perhaps from 944 turbo.
I like the double Tial wastegate set-up.

[dom9]

I would absolutely love one of these!

I have been looking for a Group C replica, at a relatively reasonable price, for years!

It will be interesting to see if they can produce this at that price and make it a quality product!

I wonder how quick it laps the 'Ring... JOKE!

[bruh_la]

Its obviously not much of a looker! Their choice of black car in a black dimly lit room shows they are aware of its visual failings.......

Still if they can build a reliable car people want then i wish them all the best.